Rebirth Decline 7 - Orb 4

[shorterinperson]

[ Alanna, having returned from her magical adventure in the Old City, sits in the tavern. ]

I have been here nearly a month. In that short time the moon shattered into a million pieces, a curse put half the girls in the village to sleep, a horrible beast threatened the town, and the thorns have started moving faster. On top of that, there have been two celebrations, neither of which ended particularly well. We've accomplished much, but we haven't made even a dent in the thorns.

I miss my husband, my children, my home. If we ever want to be free of this place, we need to focus on the matter at hand.

We need a plan.

Comments

[brosif]

It would not do to see a friend drinking alone. So when Sif sees that Alanna is in the tavern, she heads there rather than respond.

She takes a seat at the counter, and orders a round for the both of them.

"I have some news that may encourage you."

[shorterinperson]

Alanna raised an eyebrow, though she couldn't help but smile a little. It was good to have friends in a place like this, people you could trust.

"What sort of news?"

[brosif]

Sif smiles at Alanna, brightly. It is exceedingly rare to have good news, in a place like this.

"We have a weapon now that is capable of damaging the thorns. I have seen it with my own eyes."

[shorterinperson]

She tried to contain her excitement and temper it with caution, but her eyes were sparkling with it.

"How does it work?"

[brosif]

Sif met Alanna's gaze, her own excitement clear. Thor hadn't understood what it meant, that his hammer would have any effect on the thorns.

It was prototypical of the crown prince, really. To come into a problem and solve it without the faintest idea that he'd done so.

"Through a power commanded by an old friend of mine. He set thunder upon the thorns and I saw them fall to it with my own eyes.”

The drinks came, and she held hers up for a toast.

[shorterinperson]

"Thunder?" Alanna scoffed, clearly impressed, and raised her glass.

"By the Gods, I'll drink to that."

[brosif]

"Don't let him hear you say that. There are stories enough that name him a god, and it's long since gone to his head."

To all of their heads, really. Sif's own ego so no better. She take a long drink, nearly finishing the mead.

[shorterinperson]

Alanna hadn't nearly as much a stomach for the stuff as Sif did, and merely sipped at her drink after the toast.

"I'll keep that in mind. It does explain rather a lot, though."

[brosif]

Sif finishes hers, and calls for another. She does not, however, break her mug to do so.

“There is still the matter of the witch living in the forest. She may well be more powerful than all of the thorns put together.”

[shorterinperson]

"She is far more tangible than a forest of deadly thorns. Surely there is something to be done about her," Alanna suggested, taking another small sip of her drink.

[brosif]

"Lightning called by Thor's own hand left no mark on her. He is second only to Odin, in terms of power."

And will likely surpass his father, in a few centuries time. She takes another gulp, used to the constitution that Asgardian genetics provide.

Those same genetics which she is currently lacking.

[shorterinperson]

"That hardly means anything," Alanna countered, eying the drinks Sif was knocking back.

"There are any number of reasons it might not have worked."

[brosif]

"In a thousand years, I have never seen a force to counter the storms that Mjolnir calls. Those reasons must be well powerful.”

She looks down into her mug, and shakes her head. Resolved, she smiles again at her friend.

“I apologize – this is meant to be glad news. We may soon be able to defeat the thorns.”

[shorterinperson]

"They needn't be powerful at all. Magic is a tricky thing." Some things required a bit more finesse than a thunderbolt. But she waved it off.

"It's wonderful news. Perhaps we'll be able to return home after all."

[brosif]

"Your knowledge of it is certainly greater than mine."

Sif is as skilled with magic as she is with speeches. She shifts up in her seat, nodding. And calls for another drink.

"The sooner we can return you to your family, the better."

Sif's own plans in regards to returning home are slightly more muddled, at the moment.

[shorterinperson]

"And everyone else, of course," she added, one eyebrow raised.

[brosif]

"Of course."

She looks to the side. Sif is a poor liar, even in half-truths.

"For those who would wish it. Some may not."

[shorterinperson]

Her eyebrow lowered with the other into a frown.

"And why might 'some' not wish it?"

[brosif]

"As inane as this world is, there are worse out there."

She thinks of Sansa, now, though she was thinking of herself earlier. She has made a resolution, in her own mind, that Sansa Stark will not set one foot back in Westeros if she does not want to. She is a kind girl and they are unkind people.

“Violent worlds, where dangers are inherent in man rather than magic.”

[shorterinperson]

"And what about you?" She could tell when a subject was being danced around.

[brosif]

Ah. Sif is a poor dancer, in many respects. And yet, she attempts it still.

“The realm I come from is good. I need not fear a return.”

[shorterinperson]

"You don't sound very excited, though," she pointed out.

[brosif]

“I am…”

She hesitates. She trusts Alanna, much more than she expected to trust anyone here. But some things are not hers alone to tell.

“There are other factors to consider, now.”

[shorterinperson]

"You don't want to go home," Alanna offered, rather flatly. She could understand not wanting to return, but if it meant she was forced to stay here? That she couldn't even comprehend.

[brosif]

Normally, Alanna's directness is a trait that Sif likes a great deal. It allows her to be direct in return -- a refreshing change from the falsities that litter this kingdom.

Now, however, Alanna's directness serves as a direct contrast to Sif's state of mind.

"I am of Asgard," she says, clearly working the words out as she says them. "I will always return to it. I have long since pledged as much. But...my people live a very long time."